I work for a medium-large software company (a couple hundred developers) where I'm currently working on a new set of web apps to compliment a few of our products.As these projects have matured, we're starting to notice more and more of a void in the design space. We're short on icons, unhappy with the theme we've tried to apply to the new apps, and generally in need of a facelift.The company...
The Kindle is a device that almost never needs to be charged and has a pretty attractive form factor, so it's very natural to leave it laying around, just like you would a book. Because the ads are always displayed, it is naturally turned into a tiny billboard unless it's intentionally left face-down or hidden.
That said, you're right; I'm being a little picky and my problems could have been solved by just coughing up the money instead. It just doesn't seem like quite enough fair warning is given to the uninitiated (like me) as to just how heavy-handed the advertising is.